Machine support for receiving a rotor/generator assembly of a gearless wind energy plant

Abstract

Disclosed is a mainframe for receiving a rotor-generator assembly of a gearless wind turbine, wherein the mainframe connects the rotor-generator assembly to the tower of the wind turbine; is rotatably mounted on the tower; and comprises pipe sections arranged at an angle to each other, one of which can be connected to the rotor-generator assembly and the other of which can be connected to the tower. The pipe section that can be connected to the rotor-generator assembly is connected to the lateral surface of the other pipe section by way of an end edge surface facing away from the rotor-generator assembly, and the lateral surface of the other pipe section extends into the region surrounded by the connection.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A mainframe for receiving a rotor-generator assembly of a gearless wind turbine, wherein a mainframe connects the rotor-generator assembly to a tower of the wind turbine; is rotatably mounted on the tower; and comprises pipe sections which are connected to each other and arranged at an angle to each other, one of which can be connected to the rotor-generator assembly and the other of which can be connected to the tower, the pipe section that can be connected to the rotor-generator assembly is connected to a lateral surface of the other pipe section by way of an end edge surface facing away from the rotor-generator assembly, and the lateral surface of the other pipe section extends into a region surrounded by a connection. 
     
     
       2. A mainframe according to  claim 1 , wherein the pipe section that can be connected to the rotor-generator assembly is circumferentially connected to the lateral surface of the other pipe section. 
     
     
       3. A mainframe according to  claim 1 , wherein the other pipe section is conically tapered toward the top. 
     
     
       4. A mainframe according to  claim 1 , wherein the lateral surface is continuous, except for an opening, in the region surrounded by the connection. 
     
     
       5. A mainframe according to  claim 4 , wherein the opening is encircled by a reinforcement frame. 
     
     
       6. A mainframe according to  claim 1 , wherein the other pipe section comprises a ceiling wall on an upper face. 
     
     
       7. A mainframe according to  claim 6 , wherein the ceiling wall is positioned obliquely to the vertical. 
     
     
       8. A mainframe according to  claim 6  wherein at an upper edge, the ceiling wall adjoins the connection to the pipe section that can be connected to the rotor-generator assembly. 
     
     
       9. A mainframe according to  claim 6 , wherein the ceiling wall comprises an opening. 
     
     
       10. A mainframe according to  claim 6 , wherein the ceiling wall is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees relative to vertical. 
     
     
       11. A mainframe according to  claim 1 , wherein the mainframe is integrally cast or produced as a welded construction. 
     
     
       12. A mainframe according to  claim 1 , wherein the lateral surface is continuous.